Tesla is recalling 9,136 Model X SUVs made in 2016 due to a potential issue with the roof that could increase the risk of a crash.

Two pieces on the roof, or "cosmetic appliques," are at risk of falling off and interfering with the driver's field of vision. When loose, they may create a distracting noise in the cabin before fully separating.

"Both appliques are adhered to the vehicle using urethane," according to documentation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). "If the applique-to-urethane interface lacks primer, then, over time, the adhesion may weaken, causing the applique to separate from the vehicle."

Tesla first identified the issue in 2020 and initiated a voluntary recall at that time. The company inspected the issue by pulling on the appliques with a "maximum force of 60N" and seeing if they stuck. But now, Tesla says that inspection method was "not sufficient" to identify the full risk, and it needs to pull on them even harder, applying 120N of force.

Customer notification letters will go out on Oct. 14. Tesla is offering to inspect the roof adhesion and reattach any necessary pieces at no cost to owners.

It's a rare instance of Tesla vehicles being physically recalled, as opposed to simply needing an over-the-air software update. For example, a February recall for nearly all Tesla vehicles resulted in a software fix to clarify hard-to-read warning lights. The EV maker "recalled" another 125,000 vehicles in June, which it fixed via a software update. In July, another 2 million vehicles needed a remote upgrade for open hood detection.

In comparison, the 9,136 Model X SUVs recalled in this instance are a small amount, and Tesla only expects 10% of them will have an issue.

By: DocMemory
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